Another Aero Road Bike Buying Advice Needed Post...
mawashi
Posts: 48
Hi Guys,
I live in a flat country where mountains are but a dream and flat roads are a plenty so I figured out that an Aero bike would make much more sense than an Ultralight bike.
I'm looking for a decent no make that a really good aero bike that sprints well and yet feels simply fast with a tad of comfort.
I chanced upon a Litespeed Archon C1 and it was love at first pedal. However, it was a 10 Scram groupset so I started looking for what else is available for around the same price.
I have narrowed my range down to something in the range of 2800 Euros or around USD $3200.
1. Canyon Aeroad 7.0
2. Stevens Arcalis Disk Ultegra
3. Giant Propel Pro 1
4. Anything else out there that fits the bill and budget.
The Canyon and Propel fit the bill perfectly with existing technology however, the Stevels Arcalis comes with disk brakes which really intrigue me as I am really concerned about the weather where I come from... When it rains here it pours like sheets.
The Canyon and Giant have great wheels and are really aerodynamic however, the still use caliper brakes and I'm really interested in disks.
The Arcalis Disk is very interesting however, little is known about it and for some reason it weights a ton at 8.4kg
The issues with the Arcalis are the wheels which are still standard caliper brakes wheels, the new flat mount brake standard which could render it obsolete already and the total lack of any data on the aerodynamics of the Arcalis.
My dream bike would be something that is as aerodynamic as possible, needs to use 25mm tyres, is stiff enough to be responsive on sprints and reasonably comfortable and if possible can use disk brakes.
Thanks
I live in a flat country where mountains are but a dream and flat roads are a plenty so I figured out that an Aero bike would make much more sense than an Ultralight bike.
I'm looking for a decent no make that a really good aero bike that sprints well and yet feels simply fast with a tad of comfort.
I chanced upon a Litespeed Archon C1 and it was love at first pedal. However, it was a 10 Scram groupset so I started looking for what else is available for around the same price.
I have narrowed my range down to something in the range of 2800 Euros or around USD $3200.
1. Canyon Aeroad 7.0
2. Stevens Arcalis Disk Ultegra
3. Giant Propel Pro 1
4. Anything else out there that fits the bill and budget.
The Canyon and Propel fit the bill perfectly with existing technology however, the Stevels Arcalis comes with disk brakes which really intrigue me as I am really concerned about the weather where I come from... When it rains here it pours like sheets.
The Canyon and Giant have great wheels and are really aerodynamic however, the still use caliper brakes and I'm really interested in disks.
The Arcalis Disk is very interesting however, little is known about it and for some reason it weights a ton at 8.4kg
The issues with the Arcalis are the wheels which are still standard caliper brakes wheels, the new flat mount brake standard which could render it obsolete already and the total lack of any data on the aerodynamics of the Arcalis.
My dream bike would be something that is as aerodynamic as possible, needs to use 25mm tyres, is stiff enough to be responsive on sprints and reasonably comfortable and if possible can use disk brakes.
Thanks
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Comments
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I've got a Felt AR3, they were retailing for circa 2500 EUR but that has changed as the exchange rate has plummeted. The AR5 with 5800 105 is a few hundred less.
It's a great race bike, certainly quicker in a straight line than my CAAD10 although not the slightest build (I've got RS81 C50s, reliable but not super light).0 -
Just to add,the Felt AR also fits 25c tyres.
Their customer service swung it for me, their product manager is a regular on some bike forums (SuperDave) and really open and useful. I had a problem with my seat post and Felt GmbH sorted everything out via email.0 -
Hi Nick,
Thanks for the reply and incidentally, my buddy rides a 2011-2012 Felt AR1 Team issue and it is awesome however, I would prefer to get a top end frame as companies like Fuji, Canyon, BMC and Stevens make available their best frame even with lower end components.
Felt, Litespeed, Cervelo, Giant, Cannondale, Specialized etc all make great bikes but they keep the best frames for only the really high end stuff, which is why my short list are the above only.
Thx0 -
I dont have any experience of the other brands but very happy with my Propel, i cant quantify the aero savings over my other road bikes but its a great ride, nice and stiff but not uncomfortable either. Have ridden it in hour long crits and also hilly 150 mile rides and its good for both.
The SLR Aero wheels are decent too - for a 58mm carbon clincher they are pretty light and roll well.0 -
Check out the Fuji Transonic range. I can't personally vouch for them but there is a good selection of different models with different groupsets, wheels etc and they seem to be good value.0
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Also cheque out the Scott FoilI'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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Bunch of my clubmates ride Propels ('cos the club sec owns a bike shop that's a Giant agent). They seem to love them.0
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Thx guys,
The Transonic range is really priced exceptionally well however, their replacement policy where I am at is rather dismal. It can take up to a year to get a replacement frame.... NOT good.
I was very interested in the 2.3 when I found how affordable it was on bike-discount.de
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/shop/competition-series-2882
Giant makes exceptional bikes and if not for the USD $3260 price tag I wouldn't consider it due to the fact that they DON'T have a crash replacement program.
To be honest I am rather leery about the service support of a lot of the local shops as I know of many instances where the shops have refused service if they no longer carry the brand, furthermore the prices are way higher than the MRSP.
That's why I rather get directly or find a shop that has a great service which is why the Stevens Arcalis comes to mind.
I would love to hear about any reviews out there about the Arcalis Disk.
Many thanks0 -
You're unlikely to find many opinions on the Stevens bike as they are uncommon in the UK.
I'd say that if you want an aero bike, its best to go with the bigger brands because those are the bikes which have been tested independently in the wind tunnel (although not the newest bikes yet), so you can make comparisons between them.
The Merida reacto and BMC Timemachine TMR came out 2nd and 3rd behind the Cervelo S5 in the last wind tunnel test in Tour magazine.0 -
In the real world with a normal cyclist on - I don't honestly see any noticeable difference in an aero frameset over normal. Just buy the prettiest one.0
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You're unlikely to find many opinions on the Stevens bike as they are uncommon in the UK.
I'd say that if you want an aero bike, its best to go with the bigger brands because those are the bikes which have been tested independently in the wind tunnel (although not the newest bikes yet), so you can make comparisons between them.
The Merida reacto and BMC Timemachine TMR came out 2nd and 3rd behind the Cervelo S5 in the last wind tunnel test in Tour magazine.
Thx the Merida is a great addition, I a soft spot for bike stuff made around Asia. Being that it comes from Taiwan I see if there are decent dealers around, the only things holding me back are.... it uses a lower end frame called the CF3 not the CF4 reserved for the top bikes and horror of horrors... BB brakes lol!0 -
Yeah that Merida gets slated for dodgy brakes. http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-merida-reacto-da-ltd-49270/0
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Most, if not all drag savings on an aero frame will be wiped out by having disk brakes on it. If your terrain is flat then you really don't need disks, so my choice would be the Canyon Aeroad.
Yes and no, yes if the weather was decent no if the place has around 2.5m of rain a year.
I would prefer disk brakes just cos its so much better but yes I do agree that disk brakes do mess up good aerodynamics but not exactly wiped out.
Canyon, Merida are now at the top of the list including Stevens just cos it has disk brakes lol!0 -
This.In the real world with a normal cyclist on - I don't honestly see any noticeable difference in an aero frameset over normal. Just buy the prettiest one.Bianchi Infinito CV
Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Ultegra
Brompton S Type
Carrera Vengeance Ultimate Ltd
Gary Fisher Aquila '98
Front half of a Viking Saratoga Tandem0 -
This.In the real world with a normal cyclist on - I don't honestly see any noticeable difference in an aero frameset over normal. Just buy the prettiest one.
So all those watt savings on a 5 hour ride wouldn't amount to anything?I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19655712#p19655712]SloppySchleckonds[/url] wrote:
This.In the real world with a normal cyclist on - I don't honestly see any noticeable difference in an aero frameset over normal. Just buy the prettiest one.
So all those watt savings on a 5 hour ride wouldn't amount to anything?
You'd can't do 5 hour rides with an aero bike. They'd all be 4 hours 45mins.0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19655712#p19655712]SloppySchleckonds[/url] wrote:
This.In the real world with a normal cyclist on - I don't honestly see any noticeable difference in an aero frameset over normal. Just buy the prettiest one.
So all those watt savings on a 5 hour ride wouldn't amount to anything?
You'd can't do 5 hour rides with an aero bike. They'd all be 4 hours 45mins.
That's just the Venge.I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0 -
I'm curious about all that has been said about aero bikes so far and I'm wondering for the average rider who cycles around 35-40 kph what bike would best suit his needs? An aero bike with aero wheels or a lighter bike with aero wheels?
I'm still very interested in disk brakes as I do see the advantages of it in a rain soaked country lol!0 -
I'm curious about all that has been said about aero bikes so far and I'm wondering for the average rider who cycles around 35-40 kph what bike would best suit his needs? An aero bike with aero wheels or a lighter bike with aero wheels?
I'm still very interested in disk brakes as I do see the advantages of it in a rain soaked country lol!
If you're racing seriously then there's a chance you can look at the virtues of which bike, if not and it's for enjoyment then any road bike of the sort of level you wish to buy/spend will 'suit his his needs'. Your examples seem to both include aero wheels, they are not even a 'need' either way.0 -
I'm curious about all that has been said about aero bikes so far and I'm wondering for the average rider who cycles around 35-40 kph what bike would best suit his needs? An aero bike with aero wheels or a lighter bike with aero wheels?
I'm still very interested in disk brakes as I do see the advantages of it in a rain soaked country lol!
If you're racing seriously then there's a chance you can look at the virtues of which bike, if not and it's for enjoyment then any road bike of the sort of level you wish to buy/spend will 'suit his his needs'. Your examples seem to both include aero wheels, they are not even a 'need' either way.
I don't race lol! I am however, a very aggressive rider amongst my friends and you are right in that I need a weighting system for the choices of the bike.
The variables I'm looking at are bike weight, aerodynamic advantage, disk brakes and race vs comfort geometry.
These are the bikes I'm looking at now, their pluses and minus.
Stevens Ventoux Disk, very interesting bike with a decent frame, parts, comfort but doesn't use flat mount or is aero.
Stevens Arcalis Disc, another interesting fast yet comfy bike but is really HEAVY imo and doesn't use flat mount.
KTM Revelator Sky, very nice overall with great parts, price but isn't aero and the headset angle is just 71.5 degrees... maybe cos it has such a relax angle I can go to a smaller frame lol!
I'm not sure about the carbon used cos all they'll say is a premium carbon. I suspect its either T700 or T800.
Input guys?0 -
Yeah that Merida gets slated for dodgy brakes. http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-merida-reacto-da-ltd-49270/
The issue with the rear brake is around the models with Tektro direct mount brake calipers fitted. 105 direct mount brakes aren't a fortune to replace the Tektro ones or even Ultegra.
The Reacto is a great bike. It's heavy at around 2kg heavier than my Basso, but on the flat or descents is noticeably quicker. On climbs it isn't unliveable, but I'm not sure about spending a full day in the peaks climbing on it. Handling is very responsive and with 105 brakes fitted, I'm than happy with the braking ability. The standard wheels are heavy too so some carbon lightweights made a big difference.
The rear brake being mounted under the BB can be a pain in backside to service and you must have the Shimano in line brake release, or you will not get the rear wheel out without releasing the brake cable completely. Provided you get the caliper and blocks centralised correctly, the rear brake is not an issue where the concern was pressure being applied to one side of the wheel. The BB386 EVO seems to have no problems with a Rotor crankset fitted with a Power2max. The S-Flex insert in the seat post can come out so I applied a small amount of adhesive to keep it in place on mine. The seat clamp is recommended torque of 6-8nm, but on a bumby road, if you haven't got your weight cetralised, it can suddenly jump up or down a notch. Being carbon, I'm reluctant to over tighten it.
You can buy cheaper from Europe. I got mine from a dealer in France for £250 cheaper than the UK including insurance and shipping.I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.0 -
Yeah that Merida gets slated for dodgy brakes. http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-merida-reacto-da-ltd-49270/
The issue with the rear brake is around the models with Tektro direct mount brake calipers fitted. 105 direct mount brakes aren't a fortune to replace the Tektro ones or even Ultegra.
The Reacto is a great bike. It's heavy at around 2kg heavier than my Basso, but on the flat or descents is noticeably quicker. On climbs it isn't unliveable, but I'm not sure about spending a full day in the peaks climbing on it. Handling is very responsive and with 105 brakes fitted, I'm than happy with the braking ability. The standard wheels are heavy too so some carbon lightweights made a big difference.
The rear brake being mounted under the BB can be a pain in backside to service and you must have the Shimano in line brake release, or you will not get the rear wheel out without releasing the brake cable completely. Provided you get the caliper and blocks centralised correctly, the rear brake is not an issue where the concern was pressure being applied to one side of the wheel. The BB386 EVO seems to have no problems with a Rotor crankset fitted with a Power2max. The S-Flex insert in the seat post can come out so I applied a small amount of adhesive to keep it in place on mine. The seat clamp is recommended torque of 6-8nm, but on a bumby road, if you haven't got your weight cetralised, it can suddenly jump up or down a notch. Being carbon, I'm reluctant to over tighten it.
You can buy cheaper from Europe. I got mine from a dealer in France for £250 cheaper than the UK including insurance and shipping.
Thanks,
I asked around and it seems Merida or Giant or the KTM Revelator is the best cost effective solution and a simple replacement of the pads should help lol!
Thanks for the help everyone.
Cheers0
